The Australian and Queensland governments’ Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan) provides an overarching strategy for managing the Great Barrier Reef — it coordinates actions and guides adaptive management to 2050.

The plan is a world-first document that outlines management measures for 35 years, including clear actions, targets, objectives and outcomes to drive short-term and long-term management of the Great Barrier Reef.

In response to recent impacts to the Reef, including back-to-back mass coral bleaching and a tropical 5 cyclone, the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Forum brought forward the scheduled mid-term review of the Reef 2050 Plan to ensure it addresses current pressures and remains effective. The updated Reef 2050 Plan is a result of the mid-term review.

The Australian Government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government will lead implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef. The Plan builds upon, and does not replace, the existing statutory and foundational management arrangements for the World Heritage Area, such as the Authority’s permissions system and the Joint Field Management Program.